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Best Dispersed Camping in Oregon

664 Reviews

Oregon dispersed camping includes around 200 free sites across BLM land, national forests, and state forest areas, ranging from high desert locations near Bend to coastal forest roads in Tillamook State Forest. Mount Thielsen Wilderness provides easy forest road access off Highway 138 with multiple open camping spots serving as basecamp for Crater Lake visits, while Oregon Badlands Dispersed offers desert landscape camping about a mile up dirt roads from main highways. Painted Hills Dispersed at Priest Hole allows riverside camping along the John Day River on BLM land, though road conditions limit access for standard RVs.

Self-sufficiency requirements define Oregon dispersed camping, as locations like Elliott State Forest and Sisters area sites provide no amenities beyond vault toilets at some locations. Campers consistently mention the need to pack in water, pack out all waste, and prepare for limited or no cell service in most dispersed areas. Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site bridges dispersed and developed camping with basic facilities for $11-$14 per night, featuring clear spring water access and soft, flat ground suitable for tents.

Road access varies significantly across Oregon dispersed sites, with some areas like Tillamook State Forest requiring 4WD or high-clearance vehicles to reach remote forest road camping spots. South Lake and Burma Pond involve steep, narrow dirt roads with limited turnaround options, making them challenging for larger RVs or trailers. Steelhead Falls Trailhead provides easier access via established roads, though dust becomes problematic during dry months in high desert locations.

Popular dispersed areas fill quickly despite remote locations, particularly near attractions like Crater Lake and the Painted Hills. Campers report finding neighbors at most sites, even in seemingly isolated locations like Willow Creek Hot Springs accessed via 20 miles of dirt road. The 14-day camping limit applies to most Forest Service and BLM dispersed sites, with some areas posting specific boundary restrictions to protect sensitive areas. Seasonal considerations include fire restrictions during dry periods, muddy conditions during wet seasons, and active logging operations in some forest areas that begin before dawn.

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Best Dispersed Sites in Oregon (237)

    1. Mount Thielsen Wilderness

    22 Reviews
    Diamond Lake, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    "When I visited the Crater Lake area, I was well aware that finding last minute accommodations was difficult to impossible."

    "Stayed here for 3 nights while visiting Crater Lake NP and it was the perfect basecamp.

    Easy access to the Forest Road off 138 with lots of open camp spots."

    2. Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    20 Reviews
    Fort Klamath, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 783-2471

    $11 - $14 / night

    "The spring is stunning and the ground was soft and flat. Plenty of firewood around to start a cooking fire. Bugs were bad around sunset, but bug spray helped."

    "The campground is situated right next to a beautifully clear blue river and wooded hillsides—perfect for early morning serenity."

    3. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in."

    "Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty."

    4. Oregon Badlands Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Bend, OR

    "Nabbed a nice quiet spot about a mile up the dirt road. The fire ring looked like a bottledrop convention, but I quickly "Molly Maided" the site and was back to camping in no time."

    "We loved this spot, it was a perfect place to stay with our camper van. Easy to find in the dark and the roads, paved & dirt, were easy to maneuver."

    5. Painted Hills Dispersed

    17 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 573-4400

    "We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs."

    "We spent a weekend in June celebrating our anniversary in this stunning location. The Painted Hills are so beautiful. The hikes and trails are so well thought out and maintained."

    6. Hult Pond

    18 Reviews
    Blachly, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 683-6600

    "There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others."

    "Nice pond to camp near, several campsites to choose from and trails to explore"

    7. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise!"

    "My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road."

    8. South Lake

    16 Reviews
    Beaver, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 750-7000

    "South Lake is fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping. The quickest drive in is a bit sketchy."

    "Do not drive here if you can't drive on the edge of a cliff on gravel roads. it's bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. other than that, it's a great site with nice pullouts and camping for"

    9. Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek

    15 Reviews
    Seal Rock, OR

    "There is almost nowhere to stay in the Newport/Oregon Coast areas, so this spot was a life saver! After you hit the dirt road, there are a few good but smaller pull off spots and a few bigger ones."

    "The marked coordinates are a little overgrown, but there's a good tent spot a couple hundred feet beforehand. Pretty chilly evening, but it was definitely secluded and peaceful"

    10. NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP

    13 Reviews
    Diamond Lake, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 947-2151

    "Plenty of different types of camping spots: trailer and RV to serious offroad spots. I found a very secluded place with my 4by4 down rough road but plenty of other options."

    "It was a nice area; it was pretty easy to access, and there was lots of open space. I couldn't really hear the highway, but several trucks did drive down the dirt road."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews in Oregon

664 Reviews of 237 Oregon Campgrounds

  • Thomas B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping

    Handy Stopping Point

    We kind of stumbled into this free spot while heading to a more formal campground near Pelton Dam. As the daylight faded I spotted a pullout/turnaround area which then led to a rather private loop with a great view of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. I had to confirm with the Dyrt BLM map overlay, but I was glad to find myself on public land. It’s not really a place I’d choose to spend more than one night, since it doesn’t really connect to any trails or walking areas, but it was a handy en-route overnight spot, complete with a nice view and bright sunset. It’s only a few miles off Rt. 26, following signs to Pelton Dam. There was plenty of room to turn around my 26’ skoolie. However, I didn’t really see a good place for a tent, but I didn’t look very hard. There were signs of previous users, including a fire ring (which I didn’t use). Since it was the eve of Earth Day, I did collect a bagful of empty cans and trash. Leave no trace, people!

  • Corinna B.
    Oct. 1, 2017

    Painted Hills Dispersed

    Absolutely the Best. And free!

    This was by far my favorite place we stayed on our entire 4000+ mile road trip…. and it was free! We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs. The road was okay but not great, so not sure if regular RVs would make it or not. Fine for cars, trucks or vans.

    It's Bureau of Land Management land, which means all camping is free. We camped right on the banks of the John Day River and it was amazingly beautiful. The water was the perfect temperature for swimming and crystal clear. There were people a couple hundred yards from us on either side, so not too crowded. We were there on a Thursday and pulled right up to an empty spot.

    Only vault toilets. Bring your own water. No showers, picnic tables, etc. The only drawback, besides lack of a nice bathroom and not much natural shade, was quite a few earwigs and other bugs attacking the outside tent at night when we had our light on. Not the worst thing, but slightly annoying for the kiddos.

    When the river is higher (sometimes in the winter) there's a large grassy area in the center of the area for tents, but a bit far away from the water. But in the summer when the river is lower you can camp in any of the rocky dry stream beds and be safely right on the water.

  • Aaron M.
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120 Dispersed Camping

    Fine dispersed camping close to town

    Just a forest service road. The area close to the road is closed to camping entirely. I showed up at 1am and missed that part since I'm so used to seeing no campFIRES and was hassled by a local for making their scenic walk less pretty. But if you look at the map posted you just need to be further in from the road - you'll see new signs for 14-day limits. Lots of mountain bikers riding past since there are a ton of trails out here. They also seem to be grumpy about seeing a vehicle parked out here, but oh well. 

    I don't know who is marking this area for services and water and toilets and RV hookups.... it's just a dirt road. However I do get 2-3 bars LTE on AT&T and Verizon even further in where you can camp.

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Willow Creek - Willow Creek Hot Springs

    Wonderful hot spring down a dirt road

    We loved camping here! It was hot during the day and there is no shade. Once the sun started to go down though, it was the perfect time to go into the pools. There are two pools: a warm pool and a hot pool. They’re separated by a man-made divider. The warm pool was the perfect temp.

    The hot spring/camp site is about 20 miles down a dirt road, coming from highway 95. The road was well maintained and passable in our small AWD SUV. There were 2WD sedans at the camp too.

    • Pit toilet (bring your own TP) • No running water - bring your own • No trash collection - pack it out • A few sites have picnic tables but not all • Site are first come, first served • I had cell service on Verizon. No AT&T service. I recommend downloading offline maps before getting off the Highway. • The site was popular for being as remote as it is. So expect having neighbors and chatty folks in the hot spring. • Bring your own shade!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2022

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    Perfect for Overland and off-road vehicle camping

    Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise! Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles. There is a massive network of forest service roads many with spots to set up your own quiet camp away from all the dirt bikes and RVs. No facilities obviously but that’s what makes this place special. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful and a gorgeous piece of the PNW coastal area.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2021

    Burma Pond BLM

    Remote and Quiet

    This was quite a way in on a fairly smooth but steep dirt road. Along the road were random deep pot holes so be aware they sneak up on you when the road is shadowed. The last .3 miles was steep and though we made it in 26ft rig I would not attempt it again. I could see major problem if rain was expected. 

    The pond was peaceful and so beautiful with a couple of level options to set up. The area as a whole is very small though, so if someone else is already there when you arrive it’s going to feel very cozy and/or awkward. 

    There was a handicap accessible bathroom with pit toilets that someone shot up the lock (boooo) so at the moment is open despite the "closed for covid" sign. There was a pile of garbage near the garbage cans. Bullet casings littered the ground as well.

     The fish were jumping and the water clear. Overall nice, just wish people would respect public lands more and not trash these areas so much. The road is narrow with very few turn arounds. The way down I was in 1-2 gear riding the break on some of the hills. Good place to let the dogs run and swim. If we had a smaller rig we would come here again. Very weak / unusable Verizon service, no service with TMobile or ATT.

  • allison W.
    Jul. 17, 2022

    Southern Elkhorn Mtn/Powder River Basin Area

    Huge and diverse area

    Boondocking is easy with a camper van or tent setup in this national forest area, but it’s hard to make a generalization that covers this vast collection of campgrounds and areas. It earns a good review at the end of the day for being conveniently located and hassle free; you can always find a decent spot up around the bend and it’s the right mix of privacy and tranquility while being reasonable close to civilization if calamity strikes.

  • Trevor G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2023

    Oregon Badlands Dispersed

    Quiet spot with epic view

    Nabbed a nice quiet spot about a mile up the dirt road. The fire ring looked like a bottledrop convention, but I quickly "Molly Maided" the site and was back to camping in no time. (Leave no trace, peeps!) Snow started to fall early in the evening and through the night. Woke up to single digits, but overall it was a perfect overnight getaway just outside of town.

Guide to Oregon

Oregon offers a wealth of opportunities for dispersed camping, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of amenities, these spots are perfect for a weekend getaway or an extended stay.

Top Activities While Free Camping in Oregon

  • Enjoy hiking and breathtaking views at Mount Thielsen Wilderness, where you can explore numerous trails and enjoy the serene environment.
  • Experience the beauty of the Painted Hills while camping at Painted Hills Dispersed, which offers easy access to scenic trails and unique geological formations.
  • Take a short drive to Crater Lake from Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site for a day of exploration and stunning views of one of the deepest lakes in the U.S.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out These Unique Spots

  • For a peaceful retreat, South Lake provides a quiet atmosphere with picnic tables and access to beautiful lakeside views.
  • If you're looking for a family-friendly environment, Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground offers a great base for hiking and enjoying the nearby river.
  • Experience the rugged beauty of the Oregon Badlands at Oregon Badlands Dispersed, where you can find solitude and expansive views of the desert landscape.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping in Oregon

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dispersed camping free in Oregon and where can I find no-cost sites?

Yes, dispersed camping in Oregon is typically free, especially on public lands managed by the Forest Service and BLM. Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping offers free sites with views of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. Skull Creek Campground provides no-cost camping with amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, and bear-proof trash cans. Other free options include Wolf Creek Reservoir, Oregon Badlands Dispersed, Willow Creek Hot Springs, and numerous pullouts along forest service roads in national forests. Most free sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and typically have a 14-day stay limit. While these sites lack hookups and running water, they offer genuine wilderness experiences without the price tag of developed campgrounds.

Where are the best areas for dispersed camping in Oregon?

Oregon offers exceptional dispersed camping across diverse landscapes. The Painted Hills Dispersed area provides stunning scenery with sites like Priest Hole, accessible via dirt roads a few miles past the visitor center. In western Oregon, Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping offers paradise-like spots accessible through Jones Creek campground turnoff, with numerous sites along forest service roads suitable for 4WD vehicles. Other notable areas include the Oregon Badlands for desert camping, Deschutes National Forest for riverside sites, Southern Elkhorn Mountain/Powder River Basin for hassle-free boondocking, and various BLM lands throughout eastern Oregon. Most locations require some navigation on dirt roads, with camping opportunities ranging from riverside spots to mountain forest settings.

What regulations should I know about dispersed camping on BLM land in Oregon?

When dispersed camping on BLM land in Oregon, you must stay within 200 feet of roads and camp only in previously established sites when possible. Burma Pond BLM and similar areas typically limit stays to 14 consecutive days within a 28-day period. Campfires may be restricted seasonally, particularly during fire season (usually summer months), and you must pack out all trash following Leave No Trace principles, as noted by campers at Willow Creek Hot Springs. Most BLM dispersed camping areas don't have facilities like water or toilets, so come prepared with sufficient supplies and waste disposal plans. Some areas require high-clearance vehicles to access. Always check current regulations before your trip as rules can change seasonally, and some areas may have special restrictions or closures.

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